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Fargo (1996)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
5 April 1996 (USA)
See more »
Tagline:
A homespun murder story. See more »
Plot:
Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars.
Another 57 wins
&
32 nominations
See more »
NewsDesk:
(469 articles)
6 Filmmaking Tips From The Coen Brothers
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 23 May 2012, 11:00 AM, PDT)
Watch: Bill Murray Gives Tour Of 'Moonrise Kingdom' Set
(From Huffington Post. 21 May 2012, 2:16 PM, PDT)
Casting Call: Logan Marshall Green Cast as Tennessee Williams in Lonely Hunter, Gina Gershon and Peter Stormare Take Over the Mall
(From Collider.com. 9 May 2012, 6:57 PM, PDT)
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 23 May 2012, 11:00 AM, PDT)
Watch: Bill Murray Gives Tour Of 'Moonrise Kingdom' Set
(From Huffington Post. 21 May 2012, 2:16 PM, PDT)
Casting Call: Logan Marshall Green Cast as Tennessee Williams in Lonely Hunter, Gina Gershon and Peter Stormare Take Over the Mall
(From Collider.com. 9 May 2012, 6:57 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
You're darned tootin'!
See more (705 total) »
Cast
(in credits order) (verified as complete)
Directed by | |||
| Joel Coen | |||
| Ethan Coen | (uncredited) | ||
Writing credits(WGA) | ||
| Ethan Coen | (written by) & | |
| Joel Coen | (written by) | |
Produced by | |||
| Tim Bevan | .... | executive producer | |
| John Cameron | .... | line producer | |
| Ethan Coen | .... | producer | |
| Eric Fellner | .... | executive producer | |
| Joel Coen | .... | producer (uncredited) | |
Original Music by | |||
| Carter Burwell | (music by) | ||
Cinematography by | |||
| Roger Deakins | (director of photography) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| Ethan Coen | (as Roderick Jaynes) | ||
| Joel Coen | (as Roderick Jaynes) | ||
Casting by | |||
| John S. Lyons | (casting by) (as John Lyons) | ||
Production Design by | |||
| Rick Heinrichs | |||
Art Direction by | |||
| Thomas P. Wilkins | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Lauri Gaffin | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Mary Zophres | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| John Blake | .... | key makeup artist | |
| Daniel Curet | .... | key hairstylist | |
| Bart Mixon | .... | special makeup effects artist (uncredited) | |
Production Management | |||
| Margaret Hayes | .... | post-production supervisor | |
| Gilly Ruben | .... | unit production manager | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Bruce R. Anderson | .... | special effects technician | |
| Wilfred Caban | .... | pyrotechnician | |
| Joe Carroll | .... | special effects technician | |
| Michael Kranz | .... | special effects technician | |
| Paul Murphy | .... | special effects coordinator | |
| Dieter Sturm | .... | snowmaker | |
| Yvonne Sturm | .... | snowmaker | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| John Alagna | .... | opticals | |
Stunts | |||
| Danny Downey | .... | stunt player | |
| Jery Hewitt | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| Jery Hewitt | .... | stunt player | |
| Jennifer Lamb | .... | stunt player | |
| Eddie L. Watkins | .... | stunts (uncredited) | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Jim Bridges | .... | still photographer (as James Bridges) | |
| Robin Brown | .... | camera operator | |
| Peter Clemence | .... | best boy grip | |
| Tony Corapi | .... | electrician | |
| Ed Dally | .... | film loader | |
| Milo Durben | .... | dolly grip | |
| Tom Franchett | .... | electrician | |
| Adam Gilmore | .... | second assistant camera | |
| Andy Harris | .... | first assistant camera | |
| William H. Hobson | .... | company grip (as William Hobson) | |
| Jeremy Knaster | .... | best boy electrician | |
| Mitchell Andrew Lillian | .... | key grip (as Mitch Lillian) | |
| William Moore | .... | rigging gaffer | |
| Bill O'Leary | .... | chief lighting technician | |
| Timothy O'Toole | .... | video playback | |
| Joseph Slagerman | .... | company grip | |
| Michael Tackett | .... | still photographer | |
| Niel Williams | .... | company grip (as Neil Williams) | |
| Robin Brown | .... | director of photography: second unit (uncredited) | |
Casting Department | |||
| Jane Brody | .... | location casting | |
| Kathleen Chopin | .... | casting assistant | |
| Sandra Dawes | .... | extras casting (as Sandra D. Dawes) | |
| Christine Sheaks | .... | casting associate | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Virginia Burton | .... | costumer | |
| Sister A. Daniels | .... | costume supervisor (as Sister Daniels) | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Tricia Cooke | .... | associate editor | |
| Nick Dibeneditto | .... | negative cutting by: N&D Films and Video | |
| David Diliberto | .... | first assistant editor (as Big Dave Diliberto) | |
| Daniel J. Geiger | .... | location assistant editor (as Daniel Geiger) | |
| Alma Kuttruff | .... | apprentice editor | |
| John Dowdell | .... | telecine colorist (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Carter Burwell | .... | music conducted by | |
| Carter Burwell | .... | music orchestrated by | |
| Emile Charlap | .... | music contractor | |
| Edmund Choi | .... | assistant to composer | |
| Michael Farrow | .... | music scoring mixer | |
| Todd Kasow | .... | music editor (as Todd Kassow) | |
| Shari Schwartz | .... | associate music editor | |
| John Moses | .... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) | |
| Paul Peabody | .... | musician: violin (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Dave Amberik | .... | driver | |
| Michael Arnold | .... | picture car coordinator | |
| Keith Carlson | .... | driver | |
| Dave Drentlaw | .... | driver (as David Drentlaw) | |
| Wade P. Ehlen | .... | driver | |
| David F. Evans | .... | driver | |
| Scott Michael Johnson | .... | driver (as Scott Johnson) | |
| Michael Kennedy | .... | transportation coordinator (as Michael J. Kennedy) | |
| Frank Ketchum | .... | transportation captain | |
| Eugene Kirsch | .... | driver (as Gene Kisch) | |
| Peter L. Mullin | .... | picture car assistant | |
| Ivy Poulliot | .... | driver | |
| John Rehborg | .... | driver | |
| Marti Smith | .... | driver (as Marty E. Smith) | |
| Tommy Ray Smith | .... | driver | |
Thanks | |||
| Mark Cady | .... | special thanks | |
| David Daugherty | .... | special thanks | |
| Deana Elwell | .... | special thanks | |
| Rick Finkelstein | .... | special thanks | |
| Peter D. Graves | .... | special thanks (as Peter Graves) | |
| Julie Hartley | .... | special thanks | |
| James Hautman | .... | special thanks | |
| Robert Hautman | .... | special thanks | |
| Michael Kuhn | .... | special thanks | |
| Aline Perry | .... | special thanks | |
| Malcolm Ritchie | .... | special thanks | |
| Russell Schwartz | .... | special thanks | |
| Stewart Till | .... | special thanks | |
| Mark Wolfe | .... | special thanks | |
Production Companies
- PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (presents)
- Working Title Films (in association with)
- Gramercy Pictures (I) (1996) (USA) (theatrical)
- Concorde-Castle Rock/Turner (1996) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (1996) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Líder Films (1997) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Distribution (1996) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (1996) (UK) (theatrical)
- Sogepaq Distribución (1996) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1996) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Vitória Filmes (1996) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (UK) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- Channel Four (1999) (UK) (TV)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Concorde Home Entertainment (1998) (Germany) (DVD)
- Concorde Video (1997) (Germany) (VHS)
- De Volkskrant (2011) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Complete Coen Brother Collection)
- Elliniki Kinimatografiki Enosi (ELKE) (Greece)
- FS Film Oy (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
- Finnkino (1996) (Finland) (all media)
- Gativideo (1997) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Home Video Hellas (HVH) (Greece) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (USA) (video)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
- Nelonen (1999) (Finland) (TV)
- Odeon (Greece)
- PolyGram Video (199?) (Netherlands) (VHS) (rental)
- Polygram Filmed Entertainment (video)
- REP Distribution (Australia)
- Rizzoli Corriere della Sera Home Video (RCS) (Italy) (VHS)
- Top Tape (Brazil) (VHS)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (Netherlands) (VHS) (retail)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (special edition)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- Computer Film Company, The (CFC) (paint shot) (uncredited)
- Sturm's Special Effects International (snow making) (uncredited)
- Albinsons special thanks to
- Balsmeyer and Everett titles designed by
- C-5 post-production sound by
- City of Edina special thanks to
- City of St. Paul special thanks to
- Computer Film Company, The (CFC) special thanks to
- Costumes and Creatures special thanks to
- Effects House, The opticals (uncredited)
- Entertainment Motion Picture Catering catering
- Helly-Hansen special thanks to
- Insurance Services Inc. insurance provided by
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) logo (as I.A.T.S.E.)
- International Film Guarantors completion bond services provided by
- Juniper Post ADR recording (uncredited)
- Minnesota Department of Transportation special thanks to
- Minnesota Film Board special thanks to
- Municipal Parking Inc. special thanks to
- N&D Film and Video negative cutting by (as N & D Films and Video)
- North Dakota Film Commission special thanks to
- Otto Nemenz International Arriflex cameras provided by (as Otto Nemenz)
- Paskal Lighting lighting equipment supplied by
- Pembina County, North Dakota special thanks to
- Polaris Industries special thanks to
- PolyGram Film Productions BV acknowledgement: is the author of this motion picture for the purposes of copyright and other laws
- RHH/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services insurance provided by (as RHH/Albert G. Ruben)
- Rescue Resources set medics (as Rescue Resources, Inc.)
- Rollins Hudig Hall insurance (uncredited)
- Sound One Corporation post-production sound by (as Sound One Corp.)
- Sureway Air Express special thanks to
- The City of Minneapolis special thanks to (as City of Minneapolis)
- Wow & Flutter ADR recording (uncredited)
Additional Details
Also Known As:
"Fargo" - Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay
"Fargo" - Brazil, Portugal (imdb display title)
"Fargo" - Canada (French title), France
"Фарго" - Russia
"Fâgo" - Japan (imdb display title)
"Fargo" - Serbia
"Fargo" - Turkey (Turkish title)
"Fargo" - Greece
"Fargo" - Poland
"Fargo" - Slovakia
"Fargo" - Hungary (imdb display title)
"Fargo" - Czech Republic
"Fargo" - Japan (English title)
"Fargo" - Slovenia
"Fargo - Blutiger Schnee" - Germany
"Fargo - Uma Comédia de Erros" - Brazil
See more »
"Fargo" - Brazil, Portugal (imdb display title)
"Fargo" - Canada (French title), France
"Фарго" - Russia
"Fâgo" - Japan (imdb display title)
"Fargo" - Serbia
"Fargo" - Turkey (Turkish title)
"Fargo" - Greece
"Fargo" - Poland
"Fargo" - Slovakia
"Fargo" - Hungary (imdb display title)
"Fargo" - Czech Republic
"Fargo" - Japan (English title)
"Fargo" - Slovenia
"Fargo - Blutiger Schnee" - Germany
"Fargo - Uma Comédia de Erros" - Brazil
See more »
MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, language and sexuality
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
98 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | New Zealand:R18 | USA:R (certificate #34206) | Denmark:15 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:18 | Chile:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Belgium:KT | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (f) (bw) | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18
Filming Locations:
Company:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The film is not actually "Based on a true story". The Coens later admitted that they added that disclaimer so the viewer would be more willing to suspend disbelief in the story. (An urban legend even says that people have gone to search Minnesota for the briefcase of money.) While the specific crimes in the movie didn't happen, the plot has elements of two well-known Minnesota crimes. In 1962, a St. Paul attorney named Eugene Thompson hired someone to kill his wife, Carol. Unbeknownst to Thompson, his man hired someone else to do the job. The second man fatally wounded Mrs. Thomspon in her house, but she managed to escape him. She went to a neighbor's house for help while her assailant fled the scene. The sloppiness and brutality of the crime attracted great attention. The murderers were quickly caught and gave up Thompson, who denied knowing anything about the crime for many years afterward. In 1972, Virginia Piper, the wife of a wealthy Orono banker, was kidnapped. A million-dollar ransom was paid, one of the largest in U.S. history. Mrs. Piper was found tied to a tree in a state park. Two men were convicted of the crime, but were acquitted after a re-trial. One of them later went on a shooting spree after his wife left him, killing her, their 5-year-old son, her son from a previous marriage, her new boyfriend, and one of his sons. Only $4,000 of the money was ever recovered.See more »
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: The poster in Scotty Lundegaard's room spells accordion "accordian."See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Jerry Lundegaard:I'm, uh, Jerry Lundegaard.
Carl Showalter:You're Jerry Lundegaard?
Jerry Lundegaard:Ya. Shep Proudfoot said...
Carl Showalter:Shep said you'd be here at 7:30. What gives, man?
Jerry Lundegaard:Shep said 8:30.
Carl Showalter:We've been sitting here an hour. He's
[motioning to Gaer]
Carl Showalter:peed three times already.
Jerry Lundegaard:I'm sure sorry. Shep told me 8:30. It was a mix-up, I guess.
See more »
Jerry Lundegaard:I'm, uh, Jerry Lundegaard.
Carl Showalter:You're Jerry Lundegaard?
Jerry Lundegaard:Ya. Shep Proudfoot said...
Carl Showalter:Shep said you'd be here at 7:30. What gives, man?
Jerry Lundegaard:Shep said 8:30.
Carl Showalter:We've been sitting here an hour. He's
[motioning to Gaer]
Carl Showalter:peed three times already.
Jerry Lundegaard:I'm sure sorry. Shep told me 8:30. It was a mix-up, I guess.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in En la cama (2005)See more »
Soundtrack:
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak TreeSee more »
FAQ
How did Grimsrud kill Jerry's wife?How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
What was with the scene where Marge visited with Mike, the Asian man she went to high school with? It seemed irrelevant.
See more »
See more (705 total) »
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Fargo (1996) See more »Recommendations
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An 
company.
"What'd this guy look like anyway?"
"Oh, he was a little guy, kinda funny lookin'."
"Uh-huh. In what way?"
"Just a general way."
In that interplay between a Brainerd, MN., police officer and a witness discussing a criminal investigation, you have one of your principal pieces of dialogue from what is considered by many to be Joel and Ethan Coen's finest film.
Of course you can draw comparisons to others they've made, such as Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, even Barton Fink and The Big Lebowski. But Fargo illustrates the Coen Brothers' takes on plot, art and drama more succinctly and emotionally than any of those others. Here you have a set of memorable, if not always likeable, characters in a plot that goes from clunky to chaotic in the most unspoiled manner, from Jerry Lundegaard's stilted conversation with Gaear and Carl in a bar in Fargo at the beginning of the movie - the only occasion in which the movie specifically shows you Fargo, N.D. - to Marge Gunderson's confrontation with Gaear and the wood-chipper.
Frances McDormand deservedly won an Oscar for playing a well-balanced, intelligent, pregnant police officer placing her own straightforward methodology on to an investigation of bizarre goings-on. And William H. Macy gives a true one-two punch playing a frenetically-charged, fearful and, in the end, inept used car salesman trying in the most remarkable manner to make money. The two best scenes in the movie are the two occasions in which Marge questions Jerry about the Brainerd murders and a car from his lot being involved -- I couldn't imagine an actress doing a better job of seriously but comically exclaiming, "He's fleeing the interview!"
Notable among the actors as well are Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare playing Carl and Gaear, the two hit men hired by Jerry to help him con his father-in-law out of money. There's comic brilliance watching Stormare silently grimace at Buscemi's violent but gregarious behavior, and Buscemi shines being able to play the most out-of-control of all the characters in the movie. Kristin Rudrüd also stands out playing Jean Lundegaard, Jerry's haplessly kidnapped wife.
If you can appreciate an intelligent look at not-always-so-intelligent life on this planet, you'll enjoy the little more than the hour and a half this movie has to show you.